"Sure, we'll consult you, President Bush told the world in his State of the Union address, "but let there be no misunderstanding": we're going in with you or without you. "

Gee, is that what he said? I think that, despite the best efforts of the Times, there has been a misunderstanding after all. My impression was that we the US would work with the UN to disarm Iraq, but, if that failed, the US would make its own decisions. Which, I'll grant, means we would go in - but as a last choice, not a "next choice". The relevant portion of the speech seems to be here:

America is making a broad and determined effort to confront these dangers. We have called on the United Nations to fulfill its charter and stand by its demand that Iraq disarm. We are strongly supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency in its mission to track and control nuclear materials around the world. We are working with other governments to secure nuclear materials in the former Soviet Union and to strengthen global treaties banning the production and shipment of missile technologies and weapons of mass destruction.

In all of these efforts, however, America's purpose is more than to follow a process. It is to achieve a result: the end of terrible threats to the civilized world.

All free nations have a stake in preventing sudden and catastrophic attacks, and we're asking them to join us, and many are doing so. Yet the course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others.

(APPLAUSE)

Whatever action is required, whenever action is necessary, I will defend the freedom and security of the American people.

Or perhaps it was this:

The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. America will not accept a serious and mounting threat to our country and our friends and our allies.

The United States will ask the U.N. Security Council to convene on February the 5th to consider the facts of Iraq's ongoing defiance of the world. Secretary of State Powell will present information and intelligence about Iraqi's--Iraq's illegal weapons programs, its attempts to hide those weapons from inspectors and its links to terrorist groups.

We will consult, but let there be no misunderstanding: If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm for the safety of our people, and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him.

For the President, at least, war does not seem to be inevitable, and there are still choices to be made by all parties. For the Times, the world is evidently much simpler.

Comments:

The President, at least, war does not seem to be inevitable, and there are still choices to be made by all parties. For the Times, the world is evidently much simpler.